Why do I grow Bulbophyllum?
This article was written in 2020 and is part of our Wayne Harris Article Series. Wayne was an avid orchid-enthusiast, photographer, author of several orchid publications and life-member of the Nambour Orchid Society. After a short illness, Wayne sadly passed away in 2020.
Why do I grow Bulbophyllum species?
There is no really short answer to this apparent problem. Maybe it’s just me! Some of you no doubt would gleefully agree with the diagnosis that might indicate insanity! So here is my story.
The facts are these: the genus Bulbophyllum is the orchid genus with the largest number of species known to science on this planet with more than 1500 recognised entities. The morphological diversity is huge and presents a myriad of problems in identification and recognition for plant scientists.
It is also the most diverse geographically and is found in all tropical areas on earth.
So the purpose of this article is to infect you with some of the passion that I have acquired. It is illustrated with images from my own collection and these are copyright.
Cultivation
The species that I will describe in the following paragraphs have all been grown in my collection at Buderim, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, in an open shade-house (70% black shade cloth). All are easy to grow and are readily purchased. The growing medium is a mix of pine bark, 9-12mm and very coarse perlite. Shallow plastic saucers are the preferred growing containers at least when the plant reaches a manageable size. Some plants do well on ironbark mounts, especially those that like to ‘ramble.’ Watering is at least twice weekly in warmer times and at least weekly when cooler. Remember, do not let your bulbophyllums dry out. They enjoy lots of moisture and high humidity! A year or so ago I experimented by growing some containers in a shallow metal tray with water about 7 mm deep and I have been amazed at the growth and condition of the plants. I fertilise each week at a rate of 1gm per litre using Peters CalMag Grower.
In the following notes, the size of the plant may be listed as small, medium, or miniature. This is purely an indication and most of the species described here will probably, in time, outgrow a pot size of about 200 mm diameter. If this happens simply give the plant a modest trim!
B. lepidum
This species is found in India, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia in semi-deciduous and evergreen forests on mossy rocks and tree bases at elevations of 300 to 1100 m as a miniature sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte. It is common in cultivation and is often seen in shows and on the benches at meetings. Flowers about 2.5 cm long, 5mm wide. Up to 8 flowers on the inflorescence.
B. roxburghii
Found in Assam India, Sikkim and the eastern Himalayas in tropical valleys at elevations around 300 m as a medium sized, hot growing epiphytic species. Up to 12 flowers are produced in an umbel. Flower size is about 12mm long.
B. frostii
Found in South Vietnam, Thailand and peninsula Malaysia in evergreen lowland forests at elevations around 1450 to 1500 m as a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte. A delightful species with flowers that lie close to the near prostrate foliage. Flower size about 3 cm long, fragrant.
B. corolliferum
Found in Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo, and Singapore in the lowlands on mangroves as a miniature to small sized, hot growing epiphyte. Flowers are 2cm long, 11-12 on the inflorescence.
B. longiflorum
A widely distributed species found in Africa, Madagascar, Mascarenes, Seychelles and on into Bhutan, Malaysia, Queensland Australia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, Fiji and the Society and Austral Islands, in rainforests and hill forests at elevations from sea-level to 1700 m. It is a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. In Queensland, this species is found in the Iron Range and McIlwraith Range. Up to 8 flowers on the inflorescence. Flowers up to 3.5 cm long.
B. melanoglossum
Found in central and southern Fujian, Hainan and Taiwan in forests on tree trunks at elevations of 400 to 1800m as a small sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte. Up to 12 flower in the inflorescence. Flower size about 2 cm long.
B. mastersianum
Found in the Moluccas and Borneo in hill for- ests at elevations around 500 m as a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. Flower size about 4 cm. Up to 10 flowers in the umbel.
B. rothchildianum
Found in southern Yunnan Province of Chi- na, north-eastern India, Assam and Myanmar as a small sized hot to cool growing epiphyte. Often grown to a large specimen plant with many individual flowers. Flower size up to 125mm long. 25mm wide and with 6-8 flowers in the raceme.
B. cercanthum
Found in Borneo in high forests at eleva- tions of 200 to 800 m as a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. The umbel carries 6-12 flowers that are about 3.5 cm long.
B. longissimum
Found in Thailand, Myanmar, Borneo and Malaysia at lower elevations as a small sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. This species is noteworthy for its exceptionally long lateral sepals that are up to 23 cm long. The number of flowers in the umbel is from 3 to 7.
Author & Photographer: Wayne K for the Nambour Orchid Society Newsletter, April 2020